Exhibition Designer - Asian Art Museum of San Francisco, CA

The Asian Art Museum seeks a skilled, imaginative, and creative designer to translate conceptual ideas into compelling exhibitions.

Reporting to the Exhibition Manager and working with an internal team, the Designer will determine the methods, materials, and display techniques to ensure the greatest visual appeal, educational impact, and optimum traffic flow, while bringing the museum’s brand to life. He/she will prepare designs and specifications for museum fixtures, walls, and partitions. He/she will work with in-house and external designers to design exhibition graphics, and from time to time, work with outside exhibition designers, artists, and architects.

In addition to design tasks, the incumbent will perform a variety of preparation duties related to the installation and de-installation of works of art and exhibitions.


ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

1. Works with curators, artists, museum staff, and personnel from other museums to organize works of art into an exhibition plan suitable for public display.
2. Uses computer aided design (CAD) to produce scaled floor plans and elevations including layout of walls, casework, and signage as well as specific detailed object placement (case layouts) and color schemes for approval by curator, deputy director, and executive director. Creates three dimensional scale models, quick concept sketches, and renderings.
3. Develops a design plan which fits within the budget and time available for each project.
4. Using the exhibition plan as a guide and taking into consideration specific environmental and aesthetic requirements of each object, specifies supplies and materials (for example, paint, vitrines, case furniture, fabric, Plexiglas); oversees building of various component elements (walls, cases, etc.); with input from curators and others, makes aesthetic decisions regarding the presentation of artworks (selects mats and frames, wall and case colors, places objects for maximum visual effect).
5. Coordinates and resolves graphic requirements of exhibition and works with graphic designers and fabricators to produce them.
6. Creates design plans for the collection galleries to facilitate the regular rotation of environmentally sensitive objects, and collaboratively includes curators in the process. Creates design plans for other special projects in the galleries as needed.
7. Ensures that all graphic elements (such as signage, banners, titles, panels, labels, wayfinding) of the exhibition are in place and complete.
8. Confers with in-house lighting technician to develop an effective overall lighting plan to enhance the works of art and the visitor experience.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s Degree in graphic design, industrial design, commercial art, architecture, or related field from an accredited college or university
• Four (4) years of progressively responsible experience in the preparation, design, and installation of exhibit displays, or an equivalent combination of training and experience
• Knowledge of principles and techniques of exhibition and graphic design
• Knowledge of state of the art in the design and construction of museum exhibits
• Knowledge of incorporating multimedia into exhibitions
• Knowledge of display and art handing procedures for two- and three-dimensional art objects in a variety of materials, sizes, and weights
• Knowledge of the requirements for visitors with disabilities; security and conservation requirements and practices; safety regulations and procedures related to construction and art installation
• Proficiency with computer aided design programs such as InDesign, CAD, Vectorworks, etc.
• Ability to organize, represent, and communicate information effectively through design; understand and apply principles of visitor studies and educational theories
• Ability to conceptualize exhibition design and make refined esthetic judgments that are appropriate to the materials, exhibition criteria, museum goals and brand
• Ability to design within budget guidelines
• Ability to specify designs in drawings, scale models, and written instructions; effectively communicate concepts and requirements of exhibition design; identify and solve problems
• Ability to plan, prioritize, schedule, and implement multiple design projects
• Ability to listen and respond to ideas and issues from other staff and colleagues in the field; work productively and collaboratively with curators, artists, museum staff, and personnel from other museums in the design and installation of exhibitions
• Ability to lift and move heavy objects up to 50 pounds as required
• Creativity and imagination

Compensation

Competitive compensation and generous benefits package


Application Procedure

Apply online at www.asianart.org (http://bit.ly/osWcsh) or

Send a letter of interest and resume immediately to:

HUMAN RESOURCES
Asian Art Museum
200 Larkin Street
San Francisco, CA 94102

FAX: 415.861.2359

*The Asian Art Museum, a premier San Francisco institution, is one of the largest museums in the Western world devoted exclusively to Asian art. The museum’s magnificent and priceless collection of more than 17,000 objects, including paintings, sculpture, ceramics, bronzes, jades and textiles, exemplifies the artistic accomplishments of countries and cultures throughout Asia. *

The Asian Art Museum is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer.